• Kogasa
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      6 hours ago

      It’s interesting because it’s highly counter-intuitive that such a thing is possible. It’s not supposed to be useful except as an example of a false intuition, which can remind us to be careful in our reasoning.

      • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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        5 hours ago

        “Such a thing is possible” It kind of isn’t though? It’s a sphere that can pass through itself but not be sharply creased…how are these rules not just made up?

        • Kogasa
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          4 hours ago

          Specifically, the thing that exists is a regular homotopy of immersions from the standard embedding to its opposite. The “rules” aren’t supposed to be self evident, they’re part of a broader context in topology

            • Kogasa
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              3 hours ago

              Yeah, basic graduate level math is a lot more useful than whatever you do with your life to warrant such an attitude.

              • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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                3 hours ago

                Oh really? Let’s try a thought experiment, shall we?

                In Universe A, let’s round up everyone with at least a master’s degree in math and shoot them.

                In Universe B, let’s round up all the mechanics and shoot them.

                Which one goes to shit faster?

      • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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        6 hours ago

        I’m not actually sure if it isn’t actual bullshit. Like, start at Matt Parker/Numberphile “And if you keep doing this sequence you’ll notice it comes up with every other prime number.” sort of stuff, head off the deep end and then keep going.